Andre Villas-Boas: My Defoe a match for Falcao

He knows how to score goals. He’s been doing it all of his life. I certainly put him alongside Falcao

AVB on Defoe

England striker Defoe, 30, has smashed in 10 goals for Tottenham this season.

Last year he was close to joining Liverpool, who play at White Hart Lane tonight, and he’s now back on Harry Redknapp’s radar at QPR.

But Villas-Boas admits he is as good as any striker he has ever worked with, including Atletico Madrid goal machine Falcao, who played under AVB at Porto and who is now rated at £45m and wanted by Chelsea.

“It’s impossible for Jermain to go,” said the Spurs boss.

“He’s one of the best strikers I’ve worked with.

“His hunger for goals is what pleases you as a manager. It makes things easier for you to work with because you don’t have to teach a lot.

“He knows how to score goals. He’s been doing it all of his life. I certainly put him alongside Falcao.”

On Sunday against West Ham, Defoe scored a wonderful solo goal after a dazzling run, then added another with a tap-in.

Villas-Boas added: “When matches are as difficult as in the first half against West Ham, you need players to unlock the game or an individual moment of brilliance.

“I certainly had that with Falcao. Sometimes you would think he wouldn’t reach a cross and he would appear out of nowhere.

“Jermain is the same. It’s these moments of brilliance that can turn games.”